Hat clipping machine



Dec. 22, 1931.

J. F. DORAN HAT CLIPPING MACHINE Filed Oct. l, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet RMATTORNEY Dec. 22, 1931. F. mm: 1,837,414

HAT CLIPPING' MACHINE Filed Oct 1. 1927 s Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Dec.22, 1931.

J. F. DORAN HAT CLIPPING MACHINE Filed Oct. 1. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I(Mm sm B Q ATTORNEY oughl de endable in oaeration.

Patented Dec. 22, 1931 UNIT osra'rrs JAMES 1-. D-ORAN, OF DANBUBY,CONNECTICUTrJOHN C. DORAN EXECUTOR OF JAlf/Jill's IF. DURAN, DECEASEDSAID HAT GLIPPING IEACHINE Application filed October 1, 1927. Serial'No.223,281.

This invention relates to hat clipping machines and, with regard to morespecific featuresthereof, to machines for clipping the crowns of hats ofvelure or the. like having 5 an oval shape.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a machine of the abovenature which is capable of rapidly and accurately clipping hats ofvarying shapes and styles. Another object. is to provide a machine ofthe above nature which will quickly clip the crown of a velure hat ofoval shape,trimming the nap to a uniform length throughout the crownsurface. Another object is to provide a machine of the above nature inwhich there is no danger of the clipping device digging into orotherwise injuring the'hat surface. Another object is to provide amachine of the above nature which is rapid and thor- Other ob jects willbe in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will beexemplified in thestructure to be hereinafter described and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of the variouspossible. embodiments of this invention.

, Figure 1 is a side view of the machine,

certain parts thereof being shown in section or broken away to betterdisclose the structure; I

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, viewed from the side opposite to that seenin Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side. view of the clipping device or mechanism, showing theparts in larger detail;

Figis a view from the right-hand side 7 of Fig. 3; v I

Fig. 5 showsa portion of the clipper of F 3 to illustrate its actionwith changing curvature of th hatsurface being clipped; Fig. 5 is a viewsimilar to that shown in T-2i d'fi} wt' 1. 1g. e, snowing a moi ec consiuction,

F1 6 is a sectional view on a smaller Fig. 8 is a section taken asindicated by the line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a section taken as the line 99 in Fig. 7;

10 is a section taken as toe line 1010 in Fig. 9; and

indicated by indicated by Fig. 11 is a front view of a port-ion of themachine showin connections for operating the mechanism shown in detailin Figs. 7 to 10.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and first to F igs. 1 and 2thereof, the clipping machine shown herein comprises a frame con sistingof a suitable base or table 11 supported at a suitable height by legs 12and having projecting upwardly therefrom a frame l t. in the upperportion of the frame 14 is formed a bearing 15 for a longitudinallyextending driving shaft '16. 'In front of-thedriving shaft 16, andpreferably substantially axially alined therewith, is a shaft '17 whichis rotatably supported in a bearing portion 18 formed in the front endof the frame 1 1. The shaft 17 is adapted to be rotated from the drivingshaft 16 in a manner to be. fully described hereinafter, and the shaft17 is in turn adapted to rotate a hat block 19 upon which is positionedthe hat 20, the crown of which is to be oh ped.

The driving shaft 16 is rotated at a rate of speed suitable for rotationof the hat while it is being operated upon by the clipping mechanism,and this drive may be effected by any suitable means. Preferably,however, the shaft 16 is driven from a pulley 21, this pulley beingloosely mounted upon the rear end portion 16a of the shaft and beingdriven by a belt from any suitable source of power. The drivingconnection is made between the pulley 21 and the shaft 16 through aclutch in 1 of the drawings the clutch member 2 shown moved reerwardlvinto driv- 2 1:5 engagement with the pulley; by sliding lutch memberforwardly or the shaft driving connection is broken and the f the shaft16 is thereby arrested.

dr ving shaft 16 has secured thereon ts forward end and adjacent the thesupporting frame 1 a worm 23. The worm gear 23 is adapted to is meshwith and drive a worm wheel 24rwhich J supported in an opening in theframe Ll beneath the worm gear. The worm wheel 2% is thus rotated a slowrate of speed about the axis of the sheft noon which is is supported.

Connected to the worm wnecl 24;, by a bolt engaging a slot 27 therein,forwardly extending rank arm 28, the forward end of which is connectedby a. bolt 29 to a bracket 30. The bracket 30 is secured to a bar 31 bymeans of a clamping bolt 34. The bar 31 is slidably supported for siidinforwardly iii) a and rearwardiy in suitable bearing supports 32 and Asthe worm wheel rotates, the crank arm 28 thus slowly reeiprocates thebar 31 in its bearings 32 and 83. The length of these reciprocations maybe adjusted by moving the position of the bolt 26 in the slot 27; also,the locus of the movement of the bar 31 may be adjusted by changing theposition of the bracket 30 upon the bur, this adjustment beingaccomplished by loosening the clamping bolt 3%.

The forward bearing 33, in which the sliding bar 31 is supported, ismounted upon an arm or bracket- 35 which extends forwardly from theframe subst ntially beneath the support for the hut. ii'lounted to swingabout a vertical axis in the outer end of this supporting arm is anoutwardly projecting arm 38. T he forward end portion of the :liding bar31 is provided with gear teeth 2) forming a rack which meshes with a.gear 32 secured to the arm 36 around the vertical axis about which itissupported to swing. Adjacentthe outer end of the swinging arm 36 thereis mounted to swing about a vertical axis 38 thereon e. secondhorizontully extenoing arm 39. At the outer end of this arm 39 isn'iounted the clipping nuananirm to clip toe surface of the crown of thebut 90. Connected adjacent the outer end of the arm 39, in a manner tobe more fully described. is a rope or cable 40 which pass-2s over a post40a. and over e. uulley 4:07) and thence downwardly through the bracket-35, the rope or cable supporting adjustable we ghts 42 at its lowerend. Tie pull of the his 4: through the rope or cable 40 tends to swingthe arm inwardly about its pivot 38 to hold the clipper against the hat.31 .ace in the t rawmgs the clipping mechis thus shown in operativeengagement th hat crown. The clipper may be into on inoperative positionaway he hat by swinging the arm 39 outabout its pivot and, when theclipthus drawn back out of operative him]. it is held in such positionby a pin which carried by the arm 39 and drops htc an opening in a ledge44 projecting outfrom the arm 36.

By means of the mechanism which has been described. as the rack bar 31is slowly reciprocated by the rotation of the worm wheel 2 ;he clippingmechan ism mounted upon the outer end of the arm 39 is moved in ahorizontal path of traverse across the surface of the crown of therotating hat 20. The its 42 hold the clipping mechanism nst the hatsurface and in operative en- :cnt therewith with a predetermined pit.use. and this pressure of the clipping mechanism against the hat may beadjusted l 3* suitable adjustment of the weights 42. By adjusting theconnection between the crank .111 28 and the worm wl eel 24, by movingti o bolt 26 along the slot 27, the length of th 1 reciprocations of therack 31, and hence the length of the path of traverse of the clippingmechanism, may be adjusted. Also, by suitzrbic ad ustment of theposition of the l 30 lengthwise of the rack 31 the clipbracket pingneehanism may be made to travel between any two desired points on thehatcrown for a given length of movement, for example, the clippingmechanism may be made to travel between the tip of the hat and the bandor brim on one side, or it may be made to travel. from the band of thehat on one side 1 across the tip and to the band of the hat on the otherside, or it may be made to travel between any two desired intermediatepoints.

t1 irably, in con'ibinatiou with other mech- -i. -m of this machinewhich. will be dcscribed hereinafter, these adjustments re made suchthat the clipping mechanism travels from the bend of the rotating hat onone s e to the band on the other side.

Considering now the clipping mechanism 7 more particularly, the detailsthereof are best shown in l igs. 3 and be operating cutting portions ofthe clipping mechan m comp. ise rotating cutter 45 having a In thepreparation of a hat body-fora velure finish, some'of the fur fibersandhair fibers in the outer or surfacelayers of the hat are loosened bybrushing or scratching operations and are thereby caused to project outfrom the body of the hat at varying lengths. The purpose of the clippingoperation is to evenly clip these protruding fibers to a uniform lengthso as to give the hat a smooth even finish and an appearance similar tothat of velvet. In clipping a surface which is rounded or otherwise notflat, such as the surface of the crown of a hat, it is dihicult to clipthe nap or projectingfibers to a uniform length and to avoid digginginto or otherwise injuring the hat body and its finish. The problem isparticularly difficult in the case of an oval-shaped hat such as the hatshown herein. It is an extremely laborious process to clip such a hatmanually and requires great skill and care on the part of the operator.Also, the provision of a machine which will automatically clip such ahat with uniform results and without injuring the hat gives rise to manydiflicult problems with which certain features of this invention deal,as will be pointed out herein after.

As the hat 20 rotates, the clipping mechanism is moved at a suitablerate of speed across the surface of the crown and, during this traverse,the rotating cutter and the bed knife 46 are maintained continuallyoperative upon the hat surface to uniformly clip the nap of the crown.Turning again to Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, at the outer end of thearm 39 there issecured annpright post 47 which is held in positiontherein by any suitable means, for example, by means of a set screw 48.Upon this upright post is swiveled, preferably by ball bearings 49 and50, a bearing member 51 to which is fastened by means of suitable boltsor screws 52 a sup porting frame 53. The frame 53 is shaped as shown inFig. 6, and it includes a saddle portion 53a in which is mounted a smallelectric motor 54. Extending'downwardly through the frame 53 is apassage 55 which serves as a discharge passage for the clippings removedby the clipper.

The rotating cutter 45 and its co-operating bed knife 46 are mounted ina supporting frame 56 which is separate from the frame 53. This frame 56embraces the portion 535 of the frame 53 and has formed therein at eachside arcuate slots 57. EX- tending transversely of the frame 53, andheld in the openings 53c thereof (Fig. 6)

are a pair of rods or bolts 58 and 59, the end portions of these boltsextending through the arcuate slots 57. Upon thesides of the frame 56and about each of the arcuate slots 57 are a pair of laterallyprojecting flanges 60. Upon each of the end portions of each of thebolts 58 and 59 is rotatably mounted a roller 61, these rollers restingin the armate channels formed by the flanges. Adjacent to the bed knife46, and spaced therefrom in a direction transversely of the axis of thecutter 45, is a member 62 which proj ects outwardly and is adapted tobear against the surface of the hat. As shown in Fig. 3, the operativeedge portion of the bed knife 46 bears against the hat surface todetermine the length of nap cut by the clipper, as hereinbeforementioned; and the member 62Ialso bears against the hat surface at apoint spaced from the operative edge of the bed knife. j

The arcuate slots 57 and the arcuate channels formed by the flanges 60are generated about an axis passing substantially through the operativeedge of the bed knife or substantially through the line of contact ofthe operative edge of the bed knife and the surface of thehat. Therotating clipper, with its coacting bed knife, is thus supported in theframe 53, by rollers 61, to swivel or swing about this axis which issubstantially coincident with the line of contact between the bed knifeand the hat. The rollers 61 permit this swinging movement of the clipper with a maximum freedom and WltllOll'a. any substantial wear. Thepart 62 is carried by the swinging frame 56 and is preferably mountedupon the bed knife 46 as by means of screws 68 (Figure 4) so that as thebed knife is adjusted in position these two parts maintain theirpredetermined relation. The bed knife, or the part upon which the bedknife is mounted, isclamped in position in the frame 56 by means ofclamping screw 65, and the operative edge of the bed knifemay beadjusted toward and away from the rotatingcutter, by means of adjustingscrews 65a,

the lock screws 64 being loosened to permit this adjustment.

The motor 54 is connected to drive the ro tating cutter 45 preferably bymeansof a belt 66 which passes over a pulley 67 on the armature shaft ofthe motor and over a pulley 68 onthe projecting end portion of thecutter shaft. Acting between the supporting frame 53 and the frame 56 isa spring 69 which tends to swing the frame 56 in a counter-clockwisedirection, as viewed in Figure 3. This spring acts between a pin 70projecting from the frame 56- and a lug 71 on the frame 53. The tensionof the spring is adjustable by means of an adjusting nut 72, this nutbeing threaded upon a member 73 which is connected to the spring andpasses through an opening in the lug 71. The swinging movement'of theframe 56 upon the rollers 61, under the urge of the spring 69, islimited by the bolts 58 coming into en gagement with the ends of theslots 57.

The operative portions of the clipping mechanism, comprising therotating cutter 45 and the bed knife 46, are thus mounted upon the endof the arm 39 to swivel about a substantially vertical axis provided bythe post 4? and about a horizontal axis provided by the arcuate slots 57and the arcuate channels formed by the flanges 60. Since the horizontalaxis about which the clipping mechanism swivels is substantiallycoincident with the line of contact between the edge of the bed knifeand the hat, the protruding fibers of the hat are always cut to auniform predetermined length regardless of whatever swiveling may takeplace about this axis. Considering the action of the clipping mechanism,when the clipper is moved into engagement with the hat by swinging thearm 39 about its pivot 38, the member 62 comes first into engagementwith the hat surface and is urged against the hat by the action of theweights 4-2 as hereinbefore described. As this occurs the frame 56swings in a direction to stretch the spring (39 and to carry the bedknife a6 also into engagement with the hat as is shown in Figure 3. Thepressure exerted against the hat by the bed knife 46 is determined bythe difference between the force with which the weights e2 swing theclipper against the hat and the force exerted by the spring 69 inopposition thereto. The spring 69 may be adjusted by means of the nut 72so that the bed knife 46 bears against the hat surface without greatpressure so that it does not tend to dig into the hat, and yet withsuliicient pressure to insure the bed knife constantly remaining inproper engagement with the hat surface to dependably maintain theuniform length to which the nap of the hat is out.

As the oval-shaped hat rotates and the surface of the crown thereofmoves past the clipper, portions of the hat surface having differentcurvatures are repeatedly presented to the clipping mechanism. Theswivel mounting of the clipper provided by the roller supports 61permits the rotating cutter and its cooperating bed knife to swing inand out in a direction toward and away from the axis of rotation of thehat to follow this changing curvature so that the bed knife alwaysremains in proper engagement with the hat surfat e. As the curvature ofthe surface being operated upon changes, the clipping mechanism swingsabout the axis passing through the bed knife 46 as is illustrated, forexample, in Figure Regardless of the changing curvature of the hatsurface moving in engagement therewith, the clipping mechanism thusautomatically adjusts itself to such changes and dependably clips theentire surface of the crown of the hat to a unifo m len 91th throughout.

The swiveling of the clipper about its horizontal axis is controlled bythe spring 69 which determines the pressure of the bed knife against thehat as hereinbefore described. The swiveling of the clipper about itsvertical axis 47 is controlled by the pull on the cable 40 which isconnected to the bearing member 51 of the clipper through an adj ustablebracket 74. The bracket 74 may be adjusted so that the pull of the cableproperly controls the swiveling of the clipper about its vertical axisand prevents any sudden tilting which might result in skipping a portionof the hat surface during the traversing movement.

At the upper end of the supporting frame is mounted a nozzle 75 fordirecting a current of compressed air against the hat surface just inadvance of the portion thereof moving into engagement with the cuttingelements. The compressed air is led to the nozzle 75 through a suitablehose 76, and the flow is controlled by a valve 77 positioned adjacent tothe nozzle. A suitable flexible hose is connected to the passage 55 andpreferably leads to a blower which serves to draw away the clippingsremoved by the clipper. In order to more the clipper into and out ofengagement with the hat, the arm 39 is swung about its pivot 38 as hasbeen described hereinbefore. For convenient manipulation the outer endof the arm 39, shown at 390: in Figure l, is formed in the shape of ahandle which may be grasped to manually swing the clipper away from thehat or to guide the clipper into engagement with the hat as it movesunder the urge of the weights 4:2.

s the clipping mechanism traverses the c1 11 of the hat, changes occurin the area of hat surface which at any instant engages the surface ofthe bed knife 46. In some hats, when the clipping mechanism is operatingupon the side surface of the crown, for example, the bed knife ispressed against the hat ti 7 hout substantially its entire length.clipping mechanism passes over the square of the hat, the portion of thebed knife engaging the hat surface decreases in size. In hats having avery sharp square, only a very small portion of the length of the bedknife engages the hat surface as the square of thehat is being clipped.The result is that the entire pressure of the bed knife against the hatis concentrated on a relatively small area and, unless the pressure ofthe clipper against the hat is accurately and care fully adjusted, thebed knife bears into the somewhat yielding felt to an appreciablygreater extent at the relatively sharp square of the hat so that the napat the square is out somewhat shorter than at the other portions of thehat surface. It is therefore important that the clipping mechanism bearlightly against the hat and the importance of suitable means foradjusting this pressure, as by the mechanisms hereinbefore described,will be readily apparent.

As has been described hereinbefore, the current of compressed airprojected by the nozzle 7 5 against the hat surface loosens up the furfibers or nap to place the nap in proper condition for action thereon bythe clipper. Referring to Figure 5a, there is shown a nozzle 175 whichdirects a current of compressed air against the hat surface in adirection to lay the projecting fur fibers all in one direction and in adirection away from the clipper, as shown at 176. Also, in Figure 5a,there is provided a curved plate member 177 which engages the hatsurface at the portion approaching the clipper. This plate 177 is of awidth substantially the same as that of the rotating cutter and the bedknife 46 and it is urged against the hat surface by a spring 17 8. Theplate member 177 is secured to a bracket 179 which is mounted upon theclipper frame 56 to swing about the axis of the clipper shaft. Thespring 17 8 acts between a lug 1790; on the bracket 179 and a projectingflange 180 on the frame member 573. The spring is adjustable by means ofan adjusting nut 181. a

As the hat surface movesunderneath the curved plate 177 the fibersthereof are laid by the compressed air in the direction shown at 176. Asthe hat surface moves'frorn underneath the plate 177 'and 'toward thecutter 45, the suction raises the fibers as shown at 182. drawing theminto proper engagement with the coacting cutter and bed knife.

The action of the spring 178, urging the plate member 177 against thehat surface, tends to lift the bed knife 46 away from the hat surfaceand thus tends to relieve the pressure of the bed knife. Theadjustmentof the spring 178 by means of the adjusting nut 181 permits of a veryfine and accurate adjustment of the pressure of the bed knife againstthe hat surface. H

As has been mentioned above, this clipping machine be adjusted sothatthe clipper will travel from the band of the hat on one side of therotating crown to the band of the hat on the other side. It isfrequently found that more dependably uniform results are achieved ifthe hat is clipped twice, first while the clipper and the hatsurface aremoving in one direction with respect to each other and then again whilethey are moving in the opposite direction with respect to each other. Itis found that more thorough action is achieved upon the indiscriminatelyarranged fur fibers by employing such twoway clipping.

Referring again to Figure 1 of the drawings, as has been described, theshaft 17 is adapted to be driven from the driving; shaft 1.6 and, fromthis shaft 17 the hat block 19 is rotated. The rear end 170: of theshaft 17 tegrally with theworm gear 28. This meshes with a gear 81 whichis loosely mounted upon a short vertical shaft 82 secured in a bracket83 of the frame. The gear 81 meshes also with a beveled gear 84 which isloosely mounted upon the shaft 17 to rotate thereon. The gear 80 is thusrotated in one direction and the gear 84 is rotated in the oppositedirection. Splined upon the shaft'l'i between the two gears 80 and 84 isa member 85 which has a clutchface at each end thereof. The face of thegear 80 is shaped to mate with the rear end of the clutch member 85, andthe face of the gear 84 is shaped to mate with the forward end thereof.In the surface of the clutch member 85is a circumferential groove inwhich is fitted a ring 86, and connected to this ring is a lever 87which is pivoted upon the frame at 88. 1

In the position of the parts shown in the drawing, the clutch-me1nber'85is in neutral position, engaging neither the gear, 80 nor the gear. 84.By swinging the lever 87 about its pivot 88, the clutch member 85 may bemoved into engagement with either of the gears 80 or 84 to effectthedrive of the shaft 17 in either direction.

A spring 89acts upon the lever 87 tending to swing the lower portionthereof rearwardly and thus tending to move the clutch member 85 intodriving. engagement with the gear 84. Projecting from the lever 87 isan. arm 87a which is normally held by the spring 89 in the path of a cam90, the cam =90being adj ustably secured upon the side of the worm wheel24 by means of screws 91; passing through arcuate slots in the camandthreaded into the worm wheel. The position of the clipping device inits path of traverse about the crown of the hat is a fixed one withrespect to the positionof the worm wheel 24 in its rotation, since theclipping deviceis drlven in its path of traverse by the rotation :of

the worm wheel. The cam 90 is so positioned upon the wormwlmelthat itcomes into engagement with the arm87a and forcesthe' clutch member85rearwardly, to reverse the direction of rotation of the hat,substantially when the clipping deviceis crossing the tip of the :hat.During approximately onehalf of each rotation of the worm wheel, and

hence during approximately one-half of the length of the path oftraverse of the clipping mechanism, the cam 90 holds the clutchmember 85in engagement with the gear80, and during the remaining half of eachrotatlon the cam is out of engagement with the arm 87a and the spring 89holds the clutch memher in engagement with the gear 84. l

Thus, as the clipping mechanism passes from one side of the hat to theother the di rectien of rotation ofthe hat is reversed. In this mannerthe advantages of two-way clipping are achieved, and the hat surface asit approaches the bed knife and rotating cutter always moves in the samedirectlon with respectthereto.

As the direction of rotation of the hat is reversed, the position of theclipping device ischanged, by its path of traverse being moved to theotherside of the hat, so that the moving hat surface moves relatively tothe operative clipper elements in the same direction as prior to thereversal.

The lower end of the lever 87 is shaped to provide a handle 876 by meansof which the lever may be swung manually,and a set screw 92 is-provided,operating in a slot 93 in the frame, whereby the lever may be locked inneutral position or in a position to render the cam' inoperative and tocause uni-direct-ional rotation of the hat if desired. In

order that the shaft 17 and the mechanism driven thereby will run with asteady motion, there is preferably employed a restraining frictionaldevice operating upon the shaft 17. As shown in Figure 1, this deviceperferably takes the form ofa pin 94 having an inner head 95 which iscovered with a suitable friction -material engaging the surface of theshaft. This pin is placed in an opening in the bearing 18 of the frameand is held therein by a nut 96 threaded into the opening.

Between the nutrand the head 95 is interposed a-spri ng 97 whichyieldingly holds the friction material against the shaft. The pressureof the spring 97 is adjusted by means of the nut 96.

As has been describedabove, the tilting action of the clipping devicetoward and away from the hat, about its horizontal axis, compensatesforthe changing curvature of the crown surfac'e of the oval hat andinsures-clipping-of the nap of the crown toa uniform predeterminedlength throughout. As the oval hat is being clipped,and if it is rotatedabout a fixed-axis, the'oval shape of the hat causes not only thistilting ofthe clipper about its horizontal axis but also causes a bodilymovement of the clipper toward and away from the axis of the hat; thehat pushes the clipping mechanism outwardly as the ends of the rotatingoval hat approach the same and then, as the ends move away from theclipping mechanism, the clipper follows the hat surface inwardly again.This not only results in uneven pressure of the clipping device'a'gainst the hat, the'pressure applied against two quarters of the hatcrown being greater than that applied against the other two uarters butives rise to other difiiculties peculiar to a hatclipping machine of thenature shown herein. It is of great "importance in a machine of thisnature, if it is to be employed in'hat manufacturing GO pIants, that itbe capable of rapid operation run ahiachine of this nature rapidly, the'rapid in and out movement of the clipping mechanism, comprising therotating cutter and highproduction. If it is attempted to and its bedknife' and driving mechanism,

which is caused'by the rotating oval hat repeatedly pushing' the clipperoutwardly, is harmful to the clipping mechanism and also seriouslyendangers the accuracy of the results achieved; the momentum of therather heavy clipping mechanism rapidly moving back and forth makes itextremely difficult to keep the clipper in proper engagement with thehat withoutsuclr pressure against the hat as is liable to injure the hatbody. Also, when the tilting form of clipper shown herein is employed,the momentum of the parts resulting from the in and out movement causedby the oval shape of the hat interferes with the proper tiltingactionand'proper engagement between the bed knife and the hat,

if it is attempted to run the machine rapidly. These difficulties areovercome by the mechanism which will now be described.

Referring to Figures 7 and '8, the front end of the shaft'17 projectsthrough a plate 100 in which is slidably received a-coacting part i of acircularly shaped plate or member 10 1 which is shown more clearly inFigure 10. The member 104 has in its front face a circular groove 105 inwhich is slidably received a shoe 106. The shoe 106 is mounted by meansof a pin 107 upon the rear side of a rotatable member 108. Between themember 108 and the circular plate member'104 is a member 109 which isrigidly fixed upon the forvmrd end of the shaft 17 by means of a pin 110passing through the hub 109a thereof. The forward face of the member 109is shaped to form a'V-way,'as shown in Figure 7, and in this V-Way ofthe member 109 the member 108 is slidably supported. The pin 107,

which connects with the shoe 106, )rojects through an elongated radialslot 111 (Figure 9) in the member 109. The member 108 carries thesupporting mechanism for the hat block and hat, as wall be describedhereinafter,and thusall movements which are given to the'member 108 areimparted to the hat.

As the shaft 17 rotates the member 109 rotates therewith and the member108 is rotated by the member 109 to rotate the hat.

horizontally in its V-way 103, during rota- A tion of the parts, theshoe 106 and its connection by means of the pin 107 with the member 108,causes a movement of the memher 108 transversely of its axis of rotationand a consequent transverse shifting of the axis of rotation of the hat.

As shown'in Figures 9 and 10, there is connected to the cam slide 104 arod 112 which projects outwardly through the cas ing 102 at one side. Asshown in Figure 11, this rod 112 is connected at its outer endby a pin113 toa downwardly extending lever 114 which is pivoted at 115 on an arm116 extending outwardly from the frame. The lever 114 is connected atits lower end by a link 11? to the arm 118 of a bell crank lever pivotedupon the frame at 119. The other arm 120 of the bell crank is connectedby a pin 121 with a vertically movable rod or member 122 which isslidably supported in a bracket 123 and rests at its lower end against aroller 124.

Referring to Figure 2, the roller 124 is carried in the forward end of alever 125 which is pivoted at 126 in a suitable support upon the uppersurface of the frame portion 11. On the rear side of its pivot 126 thelever 125 curves upwardly adjacent to the worm wheel 24 and on the sideof the machine opposite to the crank 28. At the end of this rear portionof the lever 125 is mounted a roller 127 which engages the surface of acam 128 carried upon the face of the worm wheel and rotating therewith.The cam 128, rotating with the worm wheel 24, swings the lever 125 aboutits pivot, raising and lowering the forward end of the lever and thusraisingand lowering the slidable member 122 which is in engagement withthe roller 124. Raising of the roller 124 at the front end of the lever125 is transmitted by the part 122, the bell crank 120118 11) the link117 and the lever 114, andthereby causes movement'of the rod 112inwardly to shift the position of the circular cam plate 104.

As shown in Figure 9, on the side of the plate 104 opposite to the rod112 is secured.

a rod 129 which projects outwardly through the casing 102; coiled uponthis rod 129, between an adjusting nut 130 and the casing, is a spring131. The spring 131 acts against the inward movement of the rod. 112 andholds the member 122 in engagement with the roller 124. Preferably thelever 114 is provided with. a plurality of holes 1140' for connectionwith the link 117. By moving the link 11'? along the lever 114adjustment is made of the distance through which a given swing of thelever 125 will move the circular cam plate 104.

As the cam 128 rotates, it acts upon the lever 125 to shift the plate104 back and forth in its horizontal V-way. The cam is so shaped thatthe highest parts 128a and 1285 thereof move the cam plate 104 from itsposition on center through a distance substantially equal to one-halfthe difference between the major and minor axes of the oval of the hatadjacent to the band. Various sections taken parallel to the brim of hatthat is very clipping mechanism is operating near the band of the hat onthe other side oft-he rotating crown and at the opposite end of itstraverse. Between the two portions 128a and 128?) the cam surfacegradually decreases in height, and the lowestsurfaces 1280 and 128dthereof are in engagement with the roller 12? when the clippingmechanism crosses the tip of the rotating hat. At this latter point inthe traverse of the clipping mechanism, no correction for the oval isrequired, and the cam surfaces 1280 and 128a are of such height that theplate 104 is held thereby substantiallyon center.

The earn 128 is secured to the worm wheel preferably by means of bolts182' passing through slots 133 in the cam and thereby the angularposition of the cam upon the worm V wheel may be adjusted. By means ofthis adjustment the cam is broughtinto proper relation to the connectionbetween the crank arm 28 and the worm wheel so that the maximum ovalaction obtains when the clipping mechanism is operating adjacent theband of the hat on either side. 7 Also, the cam 128 is made with a wideface and the roller 12'? a is adjustable in the lever 125 in a directiontransversely of the cam surface so as to engage different portionsthereof. By shaping the cam in the manner shown, it is made adjustablefor various styles of hats. The surface of the cam adjacent to the inneredge 1286 thereof is shaped so that it will properly control theshiftingofthe hat axis for a sharp at the square, and

the surface of the cam adjacent the outer edge 1 0Q?" the other extremethereof is shaped so that it will properly control the shifting for thehat is moved bodily from the clipping mechoval shape of the hat and,moreover, this shifting is varied in accordance with the changes in theoval shape of the hat portion being clipped. As the clipping mechanismis operating upon the hat crown adjacent to the band, the shifting ofthe axis of rotation of the hat is at a maximum; as the clippingmechanism moves away from the band and toward the tip of the rotatinghat crown, the shifting of the axis of the hat with each rotation isgradually decreased until, when the clipping mechanism crosses the tip,there is substantially no shifting; then as the clipping mechanismtraverses away from the tip and toward the band of the hat on the otherside, the shifting action is again started and gradually increased to amaximum as the clipping mechanism again approaches the band of the hat.

Thus, the in and out movement of the clipping mechanism, which wouldordinarily be caused by the oval hat pushing the clipper outwardly, iswholly avoided and the difliculties which arise because of this featureare overcome. The clipping machine may be run rapidly without injury tothe mechanism and without danger of harming the hat and, at the sametime, with thoroughly dependable and uniform results. lVith the tiltingclipper shown herein, the only in and out move ment which occurs is thatresulting from the slight tilting about the axis passing through the bedknife, to keep the bed knife constant ly in proper engagement with thehat surface so as to uniformly regulate the length of nap; thecomplications which result from the combination of two in and outmovements of the clipper are entirely done away with.

The mounting of the hat block for rotation with the rotating slide 108is best shown in Figures 7 and 9. Projecting outwardly from the centerof the member 108 is a spindle which is adapted to enter the centralrecess in the base of the hat block to center the hat block in position.The member 108 has a forwardly projecting hub 141 which is exteriorlythreaded, and threaded thereon is a sleeve 142 provided with a handwheel 143.

The hub 141. is provided with a plurality of longitudinal slots, and inthese slots are pivoted a plurality of outwardly projecting claws 144.Suitable springs (Figure 7) urge the claws 144 outwardly and an inclinedsurface thereon bears against the outer end of the inner wall of thesleeve 142. By threading the sleeve 142 forwardly by means of the handwheel 143 the claws 144 are forced into gripping engagement with the hubof the hat block, as shown in Figure 1. Then the sleeve is threadedrearwardly the springs 145 cause the claws to release the hat block.

Secured to the forward end of the hub 141, and rotating therewith andwith the slide 108, is a face plate 146. The claws 144 as shown inFigure 1, this pin 147 enters a recess 148 in the hat block, this recessbeing ordinarily positioned on the line of the major axis of the ovalblock. The pin serves to position the oval hat in proper angularrelation to the axis-shifting mechanism contained within the casing 102so that the shifting of the axis or rotation of the hat will occur atthe proper points in its rotation, effecting movement of the hat in adirection away from the clipper as the portions thereof at the ends ofits major axis approach the clipper, and effecting movement in theopposite direction as these port-ions move away from the clipper.

Turning again to the driving mechanism of this clipping machine, asshown in Figure 2, the shaft 25 carrying the worm wheel.

4 is supported in an arm 150. The arm 150 at its rear end is pivoted at151 and the front end thereof is supported by a rod 152 which isadjustably threaded into a part 153. handle or lever 154 has a bearingportion passing through the frame and carrying at its end shown inFigure 2 an eccentric pin 155 upon which the upper end of the part isswiveled. When the parts are in the position shown in the drawings, thew rm wheel 24 is held engagement with the worm 23; by turning the handle154 so as to rotate the eccentric pin 155, the support ng arm 150dropped to lower the worm wheel out of driving engagement with the worm23. Thus, by means of the handle 154 the drive of the worm wheel andhence the drive of the clipper traversing mechanism and the drive of theaxis-shifting mechanism may he stopped and started.

The rear end of the supporting arm 150 has an upwardly extending portion156 to the upper end of which, at 157, is connected a rearwardlyextending link 158. The sup-' porting arm 150 is fixed upon the pin 151ant. this pin extends through the frame (Figure 1). On the side of theframe opposite to the arm 156 there is fixed to the pin a similarupwardly extending arm 159 which is connected at its upper end 160 to arearwardly extending link 161 similar to the link 158. The two links 158and 161 extend rearwardly to opposite sides of the clutch member 22 andhave at their ends a collar 162 which in a periphery groove in theclutch member. By the connections just described, s *inging of thesupporting arm 150 about the pivot 151 effects movement of the clutchmember 22. Thus, when the supporting arm 150 is dropped to move the wormwheel out of engagement with the worm, the links 158 and 161 moveforwardly and throw the clutch member 22 out of driving engagement withthe pulley 21 to interrupt the drive of the main driving shaft 16.}-When it the handle 154 is moved to raise the worm wheel into e11-gagement with the worm,- the drive of the machine is-started. v

The clipping machine hereinjprovided'is capable of dependably clippingthe crowns of velure hats or the like with accuracy, uniformity andspeed. An iinskilledoperator may operate the machine,- the operatorbeing required simply 'to place in position and remove the hats and tomove the clipping mechanism into andout of" engagement with the hatsurface. Regardless of-the shape'or style of the bet, this clippingmachine willquickly clip the entire surface of the crown to a uniformlength of nap Without danger of injury to the hat. v 'i V 7 As manypossible embodiments may be made ofthe above invention and as manychanges might. be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to beunderstood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in theaccompanying drawings, is'tobe interpreted as illustrative andnot in alimiting sense; Iclaimz y V V 1. In a hat clipping machine, combination,means adapted to support and rotate a hat, a clipper support adjacent tosaid hat support, a driven clipper mounted on said clipper support,.means. for driving said clipper, yielding means for holding saidclipper and the surface of said hat in engage ment, and means forrelatively-moving said hat and said clipper to cause said clipper totraverse the hat surface, said clipper, being mounted upon said clippersupport for rocking movementthereon and relative thereto about an axissubstantially coincidental with the line of contact of said clipper withsaid hat and in a direction toward and awayfrom the hat surfaceduringsaid traverse. v y y 2. In a hat clipping machine, incombination, meansadapted to support and rotate a hat, a clipper support adjacentto saidhat support, a drivenclipper mounted on said clipper support, means fordriving said clipper, yielding means for holdingflsaidr clipper and thesurface, of .said hat inzen-j gagement, said clipper support having apart engaging'the hat surface under the urge of said yielding means andsaid clipper being mounted upon said support for movement relative tothe point offengagement of" said part with said hat and in a directiontoward and away from the hat, and means for relativelymoving saidhat andsaid clipper sup port to cause said clipper to traverse thehat surface.a

3. In a hat clipping machine, in combination, means adapted to supportand rotate a hat, a clipper support mounted adjacent to said hatsupport, yielding means for urging said clipper support and said hattogether, means adapted relatively to move said clipper support and saidhat to cause said clipper support to traverse said-hat, aclipping deviceadapted to'clip the hatsurface and comprising a rotating cutter and abed-knife coacting therewith, means 1 mounting said support, andadjustable spring means acting between said clipper support andsaid'clippingfdevice tending partially to counteract the effect of saidyielding means and to 'regu late the pressure of said'knife against thehat surface. f a. Ina hat clipping machine, incombination, means adaptedto support and rotate a hat, a'clipper support mounted adjacent to a.

said hat support, yielding means for urging said clipper support andsaid hat together, means adapted relatively to move said clipper supportand said hat to cause said clipper support to traverse said hat, aclipping device adapted to clip the hat surface and comprising arotating cutter a bed-knife coacting therewith and means providing asecond contactpoint with said hat, saidclipping device being mountedupon said supportfor tilting s movement thereon to move said knifewithrespect "to said second point of contact ina direction toward and awayfrom the hat surface whereby proper contact with said hat surfaceis atall times'maintained. i

5; In a hat clipping machine, in combination, means adapted tosupportand rotate a hat, a clipping mechanism adapted to clip thehatsurface, and means adapted relatively to move said clipping mechanismand said rotating hat to cause said clippingmechanism to traverse thehat crown, said clipping mechanism having two spaced surfaces adapted toengage the hat surface during said traverse and beingmounted sothat oneof saidsurfaces is capable of moving toward 7 and away from the hatsurface relative to the point of engagement of said other surfacewith'said hat. I v

6. In a hat clipping machine, in combination, means adapted. to supportand rotate a hat, a clipping mechanism adapted to clip 7 the hatsurface,and means; adapted relatively to move said clipping mechanismandsaid rotating hat to cause, said clipping, mechanism'to traverse thehat, said clipping mechanism having two spaced surfaces ada-ptedtoengage the hat surface during said traverse, one of said surfaces beingadapted to determine the length of nap left'by said clipper and theother thereof being adapted to take e the major portion of the thrust ofsaid clipping mechanism against the hat.

7 In a hat clipping machine, in combination, means adapted tosupport'and rotate a hat, a clipping mechanism adapted to clip the hatsurface and comprising, a rotating" clipper and a knife coactingtherewith and adapted to bear against the hat surfaceto determinethelength of nap left by said clipper, means adapted relatively to movesaid rotating hat and said clipper to cause said: clipper to traversethe hat, said clipping mechanism having a part spaced from said knifeadapted to bear against the hat surface, and yielding means for holdingboth said knife and said last part closely in against the hat duringsaid traverse.

8. In a hat clippingmachine, in combination, means adapted to supportand rotate a hat,a clipping mechanism adapted to clip the hat surfaceand comprising a rotating clipp r audit knife coacting therewith and,adapted tobear against the hat surface to determine the length of napleft by said ,clipper,mean:-3 adapted relatively to move said rotatinghat and, said clipper to cause said clipper to traverse the hat, andmeans mounting said clipping mechanism to permit said clipper and saidknife to swivel together about two axes substantially at right angles toeach other during said traverse.

9 Ina hat clipping machine, in combination, means, adapted to supportand rotate a hat, a clipping mechanism adapted to clipthe hat surfaceand comprising a rotating clipper and a knife coacting therewith andadapted tobear against the hat surface to determine the length of napleft by said clipper, means adapted relatively to move said rotating hatand said clipper to cause said clipper to traverse the hat, meansmounting said clipping mechanism to permit said clipper and saidknife toswivel together about two axes substantially at right angles to eachother during said traverse, and yielding means for controlling both ofsaid swiveling movements.

10. In a hat clipping machine, incombination, means adapted to supportand rotate a hat, a clipping mechanism adapted to clip the hat surface,means adapted relatively to move said clipping mechanism and saidrotating hat to cause said: clipper to traverse the hat crown, from aposition adjacent the band on one side of the hat to a position adjacentthe band on the opposite side of the hat, and means for reversing thedirection of'rotation of said hat as said clipper passes through aposition adjacent the tip 11. In a hat clipping machine, in combination,means adapted to support and rotate a hat, a clipping mechanism adaptedto clip the hatsurface, means adapted relatively to move said clippingmechanism and said rotating hat tocause said clipper to traverse the hatsurface, and means adapted at a predetermined point in said traverse toreverse the direction of rotation of said hat.

12. In a clipping machine, in combination, a frame, a clipper comprisinga driven cutter and a part coacting with said cutter adapted to bearagainst the surface to be clipped and adapted to determine the length ofnap left by said clipper, and means mounting said clipper in said, frameto tilt about an axis passing substantially through said part.

13. In a clipping machine, in combination, a frame, a clippercomprisinga driven cutter and a part coacting withsaid cutter adapted tobear against the surface to be clipped and adapted to determine thelength of nap left by said clipper, means mounting said clipper in saidframe to tilt about an axis passing substantially through said part,yielding means tending to hold said part in engagement with the surfacebeing clipped, and yielding means acting between said frame and saidclipper adapted partially to counteract the effect of said firstyielding means.

14. In a clipping machine, in combination, a frame, a rotating cutter, abed-knife coacting with said cutter and adapted to bear against thesurface to be clipped, and means mounting said cutter upon said framefor tilting movement about an axis substantially coincidental with thecuttingedgc of said bed-knife and substantially parallel to the aXis ofsaidcutter.

15. In a clipping machine, in combination, a frame, av driven cutter, asupport for said cutter, a part mounted upon said, support adapted tobear against the surface to be clipped and adapted to coact withsaidcutter to determine the length, of nap left by said cutter, a secondpart upon said support spaced from said first part and adapted to bearagainst the surface to be clipped, and a slidable mounting for said.support upon said frame comprising an arcuate path generated about anaxis passing adjacent to said first part.

16. In a clippingmachine, in combination, a frame, a driven cutter, asupport for said cutter, a part mounted upon said support adapted tobear against the surface to be clippedand adapted to coact with saidcutter to determine the length of nap left by said cutter, a second partupon said support spaced from said firstpart and adapted to bear againstthe surface to be clipped, means mountingsaidsupport on said frame toswing thereon about an axis passing adjacent to the surface beingclipped, and spring means acting between said frame and, said supporttending to swing said support about said axis to hold said second partagainst the surface being clipped.

17. In arhat clipping machine, in combination, means for supporting ahat block having an oval hat thereon, means for rotating saidhat blockand said hat,,a clipping device comprising a driven cutter and abed-knife coacting therewith and adapted to bear against the surfacebeing clipped, means for supporting said clipping device in position toclip the crown of said hat, means for yieldingly holding said clippingdevice against the hat surface, means for giving said clipping device atraversing movelUir lieu

(Jim

me'nt across the surface of said rotating hat crown in a substantiallyhorizontal path ex tendingbetween the band and the-tip of the hat andwith said coacting cutter and bedhnife operative upon the hat surface,means adapted to move said rotating -liat block bodily in a lateraldirection away from said 7 movement of said block-moving means forimparting movementthereto.

-18. In a hat clipping machlne, 1n comb nation, means for supporting ahat block having an oval hat thereon, means for rotating said hat blockand said hat, a clipping device comprising a driven cutter and abedknife coacting therewi h and adapted to bear against the surfacebeing clipped, means for supporting said clipping device in position toclip the crown of said hat,

means for yieldingly holding said clipping device against the hatsurface, means for giving said clipping device a traversing movementacross the surface of said rotating hat crown in a path substantiallyhorizontal eX- tending between the band and the tip of the hat and withsaid coacting cutter and bedknife operative upon the hat surface, meansadapted to move said rotating hat block bodily in a direction away fromsaid clipping device as the ends of said oval hat approach said clippingdevice and to move said rotating hat block bodily in a direction towardsaid clipping device as said end portions of said oval hat move awayfromsaid clipping device, and means operating in a plane angularly disposedwith respect to the path of movement of said block-moving means adaptedto change the amount of said bodily movement of said hat block as saidclipping device moves in its path of traverse to operate upon differentportions of said rotating oval hat. V

19. In a hat clipping machine, in combination, means for supporting ahat block having an oval hat thereon, means for rotating said hat blockand said hat, clipping de vice comprising a driven cutter and abedlrnife coacting therewith and adapted. to bear against the surfacebeing clipped,

means for supporting saidclipping device in position to clip the crownof said hat, means for yieldingly holding said clipping device againstthe hat surface, means for giving said clipping device a traversingmovement across the surface of said rotating hat crown in a pathextending between the band and the tip of the hat and with said coactingcutter and bed-knife operative upon the hat surface, said clippingdevice comprising said driven cutter and said bed-knife being mountedupon said supporting means therefor to rock thereon substantially aboutsaid bed-knife asan aXis and relative thereto in a direction toward andaway from the hat surface during said traverse, and means adapted tomove said rotating hat block bodily ina'direction away from saidclipping device as the ends of said oval hat approach a said clippingdevice and to move said rotating hat block bodily in a direction towardsaid clipping device as said end portions of said oval hat move awayfrom said clipping de- In a hatclipping machine, in combination, meansfor supporting a hat block having an oval hat thereon,'means for rotating said hat block and said hat, a clipping device comprising a drivencutter and a bedknife coacting therewith and adapted to bear against thesurface being clipped, means for supporting said clipping device inposition to clip the crown of said hat, means for yieldingly holdingsaid clippingdevice against the hat surface, means for giving saidclipplng device a traversing movement across the surface of saidrotating hat crown ina path extending between the band and the tip ofthe hat and with said coacting cutter and bed-knife operative upon thehat surface, means adapted to move said 'rotating'hat block bodily in adirectionaway from said clipping device as the ends of said oval hatapproach said clipping device and to move said rotating hat block bodilyin a direction toward said clipping device as said end portions ofsaidoval hat move away from said clipping device, means adapted to changethe amount of said bodily movement of said hat block as said clippingdevice moves in its path of traverse to operate upon different portionsof said rotating oval hat, and ad gusting means for limiting themovement imparted to said block by said last means.

' 21. In a hat clippingmachine, in combination, a hat support, a shaftadapted to rotate said hat support, a clipper adapted to clip thesurface of-ahat carriedby said sup- 7 port, a rotating driving means, aclutch adapted-to rotate said shaft from said driving means, mechanismadapted to give said clipper a traversing movement over the surface ofsaid hat; movable means adapted to shift s'aidmechanism into and out ofoperative engagement with said shaft, means as sociated with said lastmeans for operating said clutchyand means for manually actuating saidmovable means simultaneously to arrest said traverseand to interrupt thedrive of said shaft.

22.1n a hat clipping machine, in combination, hat supporting meanscomprising a shaft, driving means therefor, means for ro-. tating' saidshaft from said driving means, a clipper adapted to clip a hat carriedby said supporting means, mechanism adapted to bfil positionedalternatively in operative and inoperative positions relatively to saidshaft for giving said clipper a traversing movement over the surface ofsaid rotating hat, means for shifting said mechanism, and meansassociated with said last means for rendering said rotating meansinoperative to rotate said shaft when said traversing mechanism isshifted to its inoperative position.

23. In a hat ciippingmachine, a rotary block for carrying a hat to beclipped, a clipper, a movable support for the clipper, means forshifting said support longitudinally of the block as the block isrotated to pass the clipper over the surface of the hat, means foryieldingly holding the clipper against the surface of a hat on theblock, means for rotating the block, and means for operating theclipper.

24;. In a hat clipping machine, a frame, a rotary shaft mounted in theframe, a block for carrying a hat mounted on the shaft, a supportpivoted to the frame, a lever arm pivoted to the support laterally ofsaid pivot, a supporting member pivotally mounted on said lever arm toturn about an upright axis, a clipper having a bed knife and arotarycutter associated therewith mounted in the supporting member adjacentsaid block, means for rotating said cutter, and means for swinging saidsupport about its pivot to shift the clipper relative to the block.

25. In a hat clipping machine, a frame, a rotary hat supporting blockmounted on the frame, a support pivoted to the frame, a clipper mountedon the support adjacent the block and comprising a stationary knife anda rotary cutter associated therewith, means for operating the cutter,and means for swinging the support to shift the clipper longitudinallyof the block to pass it over the surface of the hat as the block isrotated.

26. In a hat clipping machine, a frame, a rotary hat supporting blockmounted on the frame, a support pivoted to the frame, a movable armmounted on the support, a supporting member mounted on the arm to turnabout an upright axis, a clipper mounted in said supporting member,means for swinging the support to shift the clipper relative to theblock, and yielding means tending to shift said arm to hold the clipperagainst the surface of a hat on the block.

27. In a hat clipping machine, a rotary hat supporting block mounted torotate about a horizontal axis, a clipper mounted adjacent the block toclip the surface of a hat mounted thereon, a support for the clippermounted to turn about an upright axis, means for operating the clipper,and means for shifting the clipper relative to the block longitudinallyof its axis to pass it over the surface of the hat as the block isrotated.

28. In a hat clipping machine, a rotary hat supporting block, a clippermounted adjacent said block to clip the surface of a hat mountedthereon, means for mounting the clipper to turn about an upright axis,means for mounting the clipper to turn about a horizontal axis, meanscooperating With the our ace of the hat to maintain the clipper inproper relation to the surface to be clipped, and means forautomatically shifting the clipper longitudinally of the blocks as theblock is rotated.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this23rd day of September, 1927.

JAMES F. DORAN.

